GPS Comparison Charts

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Loving my SureShot. Very robust, so don't worry about it not having a case. Mine has been mostly living in my golf bag for a couple of months and you can't tell. Normally just throw it onto the dash of the cart during a round and not even a scrath so far.

 

Love the stats facility. Always been bad about recording as much info as I should so I bought a Suunto watch to do it but found that not easy enough to use. Now understand a lot more about my game.

 

SP-

 

From your user name, I gather you are a Brit living Down Under?

 

Do you travel and, if so, do you ever have to worry about if courses are mapped?

Do you feel that enough points are mapped per hole?

 

Thanks!

[jacksonlui]

hi Charlie,

did you finally decide on one and gave us a review?

I'm looking into the sonnocaddie

thanks

Jack

[FlyFish]

That 10 course download limit is the major detraction of the Sky Caddie IMO.

 

Do any of the other units get better reception than the others? That really is the question.

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

hi Charlie,

did you finally decide on one and gave us a review?

I'm looking into the sonnocaddie

thanks

Jack

 

Hey Jack-

 

Yes, I finally decided to give the Sonocaddie a try, but I've only used it once and I don't think that's enough to give it a thorough review (I'm still learning to use it.)

 

But I can tell you that I was pleased with it in the 1 round I've played. When I checked the distance on the tee marker with the Sonocaddie, it was dead on except on 1 hole (where I think the tee markers were in the wrong place - we were playing a dewsweeper round.)

 

I can also say that course downloads were very simple and fast.

 

The unit is also smaller than it looks in the pictures. It's about the same length and width as the Motorola Razr, but about twice as thick. The screen is easy to read even in bright sunlight.

 

Check "Best Offer" Auctions on eBay for good deals for New in Box Sonocaddies. Do a search for completed auctions to see how much they have been selling for. You won't pay anywhere near $300 MSRP. But as always, be cautious with eBay.

[jacksonlui]

thanks for the reply.

i have a brand new 500G rangefinder which I think I'll put up on ebay.

I'm still deciding between the sonnocaddie and the sureshot gps.

I like the statistics feature of the sureshot.

Does the sonnocaddie have the statistics feature? why didn't you go with sureshot?

 

thanks again

Jack

[Viking Golfer]

My review of the Sonocaddie.

 

By coincidence, I received my Sonocaddie the exact same day as Charlie did :(

 

I've used mine 3 times now and I feel ready to give a small review. PM me if something is missing in my review.

 

The first day I turned it on, I would test it in the city, which I live in. I was very disappointed

It could only find 5 satellites - even if I waited for 8-10 minutes in the same spot. No buildings taller than 5.th floor in the neighbourhood - and I did try to imagine a small par 4 hole down the street and the gauging it gave me was pretty incorrect. The Sonocaddie needs at least 6 satellites or more to give precise distance recordings - the more satellites the merrier it is and the better and more precise GPS measurements will it provide :russian_roulette:

 

It can receive up to 12 satellites (some says 16, but I don't know if this correct) The more satellites a Golf GPS "communicates" with the more precise will it be and the faster will it be able to record and deliver distance information out on the course.

 

In theory rain and clouds should not reduce the GPS signal between a Golf GPS device, such as the Sonocaddie, and the satellites - but I must say that my experience with the Sonocaddie is that it will not work and find as many satellites in cloudy weather and when it rains, as it does when the sky is clear.

 

Because of my first test - I arrived at the golf course with less than high hopes.

 

I went to the range and had it sitting on my cart, while I was hitting balls for 15 minutes and hoped it would be able to catch more than 5 satellites this time.....

It did - the sun was shining and no clouds (but clouds should >NOT< interfere with the GPS signal anyway).

Within 15 minutes it had found 12 satellites and communicated with 11 of them - so my expectations were again positive as I went to the first tee.

 

I started mapping the course to learn how to do it. The course I was to play that day was available on the Sonocaddie website for download, but I wanted to learn it the hard way and I trust my own mapping better than one did on a computer by a guy sitting in asia using Google Earth and GPS.

 

I had mapped the different bunkers, water hazards, lay ups and stuff like as reference points before I arrived to the golf course. This way mapping the course will go a bit faster, because you simply have to enter each hole and edit each reference point for each hole (you can map up to 6 different reference point pr. hole, of which 2 is the front green and back green) and make sure to stand still for at least 5 seconds on each reference point to obtain a precise GPS recording for that particular reference point.

 

It took me about 1 hour extra playing 18 holes, because I had to jump around and find all the hazards and lay up points and record them into my Golf GPS - but when it's done, it's done - and you KNOW you've done it yourself - and this is a pretty satisfying thought.

 

The unit is pretty sturdy, although in white plastic. You have a nice black small thin rubber belt around the lower half of the unit, and this mankes it very easy to get a tight and firm grip on the the unit. The display is readable in direct sunligt, but of course it's only a monochrome display and therefore not fancy to look at like the Sureshot GPS with its TFT colorscreen. But the Sonocaddies screen works for its purpose and that's enough for me. The electronic scorecard also works very well. You can go directly from the GPS mode on each hole to the electronic scorecard and back again in the press of one button. Works really well.

 

The device is small and ligt weight (4 ounces with the 3 AAA batteries) - even smaller than a normal sized cellular phone, think of Samsung clamshell phone-size. A bit chubby though - but I kind of like that, because this means it's very comfortable holding the unit in your hand because of the round shape. You can have it in your pocket and still not notice it. Other GPS devices are considerable larger and more bulky. I like being able to always have it on me and not have it sitting on my Golfcart - because I also use the electronic scorecard built into the Sonocaddie.

 

You can use rechargeable batteries and they work very well. I use 3 GP 850 maH AAA - and after 3 rounds, I still have 2 out of 4 power beams on the display. The menu is fast and easy to learn. The keybaord and joystick is much better than expected - actually very easy to use and navigate with. One negative thing is that the unit has trouble saving the settings. Sometimes it will remember the settings you save, sometimes it will forget them. I had to set the settings for meter and not yards several times, but the unit kept forgetting it - although I saved it each and every time - a firm ware upgrade should correct this small but annoying error.

 

After mapping the course, I've tested the Sonocaddie two times on the same course - and so far I'm content. The distances seem to be spot on (within 2-3 yards/meters precision - NO GPS unit is more precie than that) , the unit have had 9-11 satellites to communicate with on each round, which is more than enough.

 

The software you need to install on your Pc for the Sonocaddie to work on the computer was easy to install and the dowloading of courses was also very easy. You can have a total of 20 courses in the Sonocaddie - and it's free of charge. No annual fee, no price for dowloading the courses from the Sonocaddie website, which I think is a great feature.

 

Improvement for the next model could be: Built in clock, a slightly larger screen (without making the unit larger, because I really love the small size of this device) and an alarm clock (a discreet teetime alarm for use on the range).

 

Performance: 9/10

Design : 9/10

Bulk: 10/10

Features: 9/10

Screen: 7/10

Power consumption: 9/10

Price: 8/10

[canon102]

i came across this info while trying to research and decide on a golf gps. while this post has tons of great info, it only makes my decision tougher. i was initially set to buy the sky caddie, but posts about bad costomer service have made me second guess that decision. also, there are alot more golf gps systems available than i was aware of. I dont really care about subscription cost or the cost of the unit, i want the best system available. i want a golf gps because i like toys and i think it could help my game, not because i'm a great golfer who can control my distances with great accuracy.

 

charlie, how are you liking the sonocaddie? anyone have more info on garmin's logixgolf? I know skycaddie has the most couses mapped (and all the one's i play, alhough not 4 star mapping), but i don't want to buy a system if i'm going to be pissed off about the costomer service. also, i don't want a system that has all the bells and wistles, but cant get accurate readings or a good signal.

 

UH, I'M SO CONFUSED.

 

choices as of right now: skycaddie, sonocaddie, sureshot, logixgolf?

[Resili22]

I used the Scoring software Intelligolf for many years with my Palm and I have all those rounds in my PC.

Four months ago, after looking at many devices, suscription fees, courses databases, etc. I decided to buy a Windows Mobile PDA with a GPS Integrated.

Besides the usual PDA and PC functions I got WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity, a Car Navigation unit and in my opinion the best of both worlds in golf devices: a great scoring machine and a pretty accurate GPS (+-2 yards).

You can freely download already created courses by other users across the world or you can just copy the scorecard once and record the most important locations in the course with the GPS...

Here's a link to the software: www.intelligolf.com

And for the hardware you can use many types of diferent devices (with or without GPS) like Windows Mobile/Windows CE, Palm, Blackberry, etc.

Hope it helps,

Regards.

[jacksonlui]

hi Claus,

 

Any regrets with your decision?

the chart is wrong for sonocaddie, you should have 16 channels.

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

hi Claus,

 

Any regrets with your decision?

the chart is wrong for sonocaddie, you should have 16 channels.

 

J-

 

I got all the data for the chart from the manufacturer's websites and pamphlets, etc. But if you can point me to where it says Sonocaddie can receive 16 channels, I would be happy to amend the post!

[jacksonlui]

no real proof except for what I've seen on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-2007-SONOCAD...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

it mentions 16 channel gps receiver.

i couldn't find any technical info on sonocaddie's website

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

no real proof except for what I've seen on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-2007-SONOCAD...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

it mentions 16 channel gps receiver.

i couldn't find any technical info on sonocaddie's website

 

Okay, let me do a little digging to see what I can find.

 

And FWIW, my Sonocaddie has worked out fine so far. I think SkyCaddie and others are going to have to change their business model if Sonocaddie makes a dent in the market.

[jacksonlui]

does sonocaddie and sureshot have that intelligreen feature?

i think your screen rotates to give you the same view/perspective at all angles to the green.

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

does sonocaddie and sureshot have that intelligreen feature?

i think your screen rotates to give you the same view/perspective at all angles to the green.

 

Nope. But all I care about is distance anyway.

[Viking Golfer]

hi Claus,

 

Any regrets with your decision?

the chart is wrong for sonocaddie, you should have 16 channels.

 

J-

 

I got all the data for the chart from the manufacturer's websites and pamphlets, etc. But if you can point me to where it says Sonocaddie can receive 16 channels, I would be happy to amend the post!

 

I've been able to receive a potential of 14 channels so far on my Sonocaddie - so 14 is the max for me.

The highest numbers of channelse active for me so far is 13/14 - 13 in use and 14 received.

 

Sometimes the Sonocaddie can see 12, but only use 9 or 10 of the 12. But it has at least 14 channels.

[Viking Golfer]

hi Claus,

 

Any regrets with your decision?

the chart is wrong for sonocaddie, you should have 16 channels.

 

 

No, no regrest so far - great product for a great price. Very good batterytime with my 850 mah rechargeables (I can play 4 X 18 holes on the same trio of batteries before they need to be recharged) :shok:

[jacksonlui]

can any sonocaddie users comment on the intelligreen feature that the SG4 has? Sounds like a cool feature to be able to see the green rotate to your perspective and give you the right distances from back to front.

thanks

[slacker]

Hello Charlie,

 

Thanks for all your informative posts. I have just bought a Sonocaddie off Ebay version 2.3. I am having difficulty following their instructions for setting up a new course. Wondering if you or Claus could help. Standing on the first tee what do I do before proceeding to the first reference point and so on to the front of the green?

 

Thanks.

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Slacker-

 

So far all my courses have been pre-mapped. But I think Claus may have mapped some.

[Philfest]

I chose a Pinseeker so I don't have to worry about any of that information :aggressive:

 

 

Me to, and it's the best golf investment I've made in 3yrs.

 

And you know what, it works everywhere, no matter what.

[golfgame]

I have the golflogix unit built by Garmin. So far very happy with it. Customer service via email has been very good and fast. I requested 2 course that weren't listed, and within a week 1/2 for both there were available for download. I also asked about them updating the time feature, it set for cst, I'm on the west coast, got a prompt reply that they are upgrading the software. The only thing that I wished it had was the ability to mark distance.

not a big deal though. It scrolls as you walk, I previously had the bushnell pinseeker and the golflogix just blows it away in terms of speed of locating the distance. I just clip it to the outside of my bag or cart and off I go. Paid 295 off ebay, though most units are going for 329-349. Hopefully the price will come down to be more completive wit other units.

 

I can echo lolo's comments about GolfLogix. Of all the companies I emailed for information (some of whom still haven't gotten back to me), GolfLogix had, by far, the fastest response - next day if I recall.

 

My concerns with GolfLogix were (1) no option for manual mapping of points; (2) more expensive than other units (but Lolo seems to have figured out the way around that!); (3) no "shot distance" function; and (4) annual subscription required.

 

But if you are looking for a "Grab and Go" unit and the annual fee doesn't bother you, it looks like a solid option: 12 Satellite Channels and their philosophy is that "if you are paying $349 for the unit and $30/year, you shouldn't have to do anything but look at the unit to get your distance."

 

EDIT: I tracked down the email

 

 

I intend to purchase a heldheld GPS unit for golf in the next few weeks and I would like some information about the GolfLogix Handheld Golf GPS System. I have thoroughly reviewed the GolfLogix website, but I still have the following questions:

 

 

(1) Once I purchase the unit and the $29 subscription, are the courses I download mine to keep; or do I have to maintain my subscription each year to keep the courses?

 

GolfLogix: GolfLogix provides one course for free without having to pay the $29.95 annual membership. You can load as many courses as you would like for the length of the 1-year membership. These courses will be stored on your PC for one year but at the end of that year you will only have access to one course if you choose not to renew.

 

 

 

(2) Is it possible for the owner/user to map points on a course, or is the user limited to pre-mapped points provided by GolfLogix?

 

GolfLogix: We feel that for $349 you should not have to map your own points. We provide up to 3 hazards/carry points per hole. Our device can be used without having to push any buttons throughout the round and all distances are displayed in a large easy to read format. If there are points that you would like to see added we are building a simple program that will allow you to requests points.

 

 

 

(3) Will the unit function without the annual subscription?

 

GolfLogix: The unit will always be able to display one course.

 

 

 

(4) What is the maximum number of points "mapped" by GolfLogix for each hole

 

GolfLogix: To keep our no-button operation during the round we have limited the points to 3 per hole.

 

 

 

(5) If users can "map" their own courses, or add points to pre-mapped course, is it possible (or permissible) to trade custom maps?

 

GolfLogix: We do not expect or allow golfers to map their own course. If a course is not available you can use the Request a Course feature and we will have it mapped within one week.

 

 

 

(6) Will the unit use AA rechargeable batteries; or only standard alkaline or lithium AA batteries.

 

GolfLogix: The GolfLogix device will use any type of AA batteries including rechargeable. High power batteries like Duracell will generally last 20 hours and the rechargeables can last up to 14 hours.

 

 

 

(7) The GolfLogix Unit is more expensive than most of the other handheld units currently on the market (the SkyCaddie SG4 is the same price, and the SureShot GPS in $399; while the iGolf, SG1, SG2, and SG3 are less); what features does GolfLogix believe justify the higher price?

 

GolfLogix: [no response]

 

 

(8) How are the courses mapped? By hand or using satellite maps?

 

GolfLogix:We use a variety of aerial and satellite imagery to map our courses. One advantage of using this method is that we will be updating our maps once per year to reflect the changes that are made at the golf courses.

 

 

 

 

(9) What is the margin for error on the readings?

 

GolfLogix: Like all GPS in the golf business our margin of error is plus or minus 3 yards. Any company that tells you any differently is not telling the truth.

After reading all of this posting and others here and on other forums I decided to purchase the Golflogix unit. After some back and forth emailing with Golflogix they cleared my mind on some of the issues raised here. I will attempt to list my questions and their responses.

 

First let me say that my experience with Garmin GPS has been nothing but top shelf. I have a unit in my car that is bullet proof. I could not venture into uncharted territory without it.

 

The ease of reading the distances on the screen and the lack of having to push/toggle any buttons were a major part of my decision.

 

Even though other units give more marked FW items than the other units in reality just how many does the average golfer really require? I have to think that generally speaking three are adequate to get you to the green. I did pose that to Golflogix and they have responded.

 

Some in these posts have made comment about how the SkyCaddie rotates the green , etc. I have to think that most golfers do not have the ability to hit approach shots to exacting distances and spots. It would seem to me that if you know the carry distance and the maximum distance that you are well served.

 

The lack of the ability to mark shots for length has also been addressed as has the question about the unit's battery life.

 

These are the questions that I asked and the answers that Golflogix returned.

 

Pete,

 

You have answered all of my questions except this one.

 

1. Do you have any plans to add more than three measured items per hole?

 

What is Golflogix's thinking as to why only three per hole?

 

It is also being reported in some reviews that the unit goes thru batteries quickly and is not giving the stated number of hours?

 

I need to make my mind up on this unit within the next week. Your prompt answers will be appreciated.

 

We decided on 3 measured items per hole in order to make our product user friendly. Currently, other than the power button you don’t have to press any buttons during you round. Three distances fit great on the screen and are easy to read. Once you go to 4 numbers you have to manually scroll to a secondary screen which doesn’t seem like a big deal but we have a lot of users who are not computer savvy and don’t want to mess with it.

 

That being said there are a large number of golfers like yourself that would like more information. At some point we will be adding a advanced section to our application which will allow users to dictate how many hazards they want to show. We are hoping to have this completed by the Christmas selling season. It will be a free software upgrade to our existing unit.

 

We made a mistake and included a lower end battery in our initial packaging and that is part of the reason for the bad battery feedback. We are now including Duracells which are lasting 20 hours. GPS units are high drain devices and some customers are buying cheap batteries that barely last a round. We recommend that you buy a 4 pack of duracells and put them in your golf bag and only replace the ones in the unit when the unit shuts off. The back pops off very easily and when you turn the unit back on it goes to the same hole you were on and it only takes about 30 seconds to re-acquire satellites. Another option is to buy a 4-pack of Nimh rechargeable batteries which will last about 12 hours per set and you can get them at Costco for under $20 bucks.

 

Hopefully that helped.

 

 

Pete,

 

Thanks, I think that pretty much sums up my questions. I understand that you WILL be adding a feature to measure shot distance. I am correct it that am I not?

Yes, we are looking at the October/November time frame and it will be a free upgrade.

 

One last item. If you purchase directly from Golflogix they do have a (30) day return policy. They also ship via Fedex 2nd day air free of charge.

[phil75070]

"Some in these posts have made comment about how the SkyCaddie rotates the green , etc. I have to think that most golfers do not have the ability to hit approach shots to exacting distances and spots. It would seem to me that if you know the carry distance and the maximum distance that you are well served."

 

I think you and many of the competing units are missing the point with SkyCaddie's "Intelligreen" feature. I have asked the question of those selling competing units AND NOT GOTTEN AN ANSWER: what are used for the "front" and "back" points on a green that is not round, say one that is kidney shaped and oriented from bottom left to top right as you would look down on it? Is the front the closest point on the bottom left? Then what is you carry to the front of the green on a line to a pin located back right?

 

The Intelligreen feature not only rotates the orientation of the green, there are crosshairs that you use to determine the front and back distances on ANY LINE into the green, not just based on fixed points.

[CTSyndrome]

First I have to thank Foxtrot for the great info and review.

 

With that knowledge I decided on the Sonocaddie. I could not be more thrilled. Very acurate and easy to use. And I like mapping my own points where I want. It's just me but the biggest seller was no yearly, and or any other, fees.

 

And for the whole intelli-green thing. If your playing a hole and hitting towards the green but miss over or beside by say <50 or 60 yd. Do you really need that short of yardage from that vantage point. Just me, but anything less then 60 yd is strictly a feel shot (don't need any yardage).

 

Thanks everybody for the great reviews. I enjoy the knowledge.

[goforthepin]

great chart.

 

Quick question to the group.

 

Can a subscription at lets say Igolf be used on a golflogix unit?

[marky]

Great job --very helpful

 

Thanks

 

Marky

[Rod]

I'm getting a gps unit this week and have narrowed it down to 2 choices: Sonocaddie and Sureshot. I am leaning toward the Sureshot, but Im curious with this company being in Australia could the warranty be an issue? Sureshot's contact info doesn't have any U.S. addresses.

 

This info has been very helpful, I only wish it could have persuaded me to one or the other of these two. Thanks

[Solutions Etcetera]

Ya know... I've been looking at these things for quite a while and if I "had" to buy one tomorrow I think I'd go with a SonoCaddie.

 

These things are remarkably simple and remarkably priced $300 - $400!... and their software support seems to be an afterthought at best... (not to mention some requiring annual subscriptions over and above their exorbitant price).

 

You can buy a waterproof, 12 channel WAAG enabled hand held capable of storing 500 or more waypoints from Garmin for under a hundred bucks. I can't help but feel a little "reemed" by the current Golf GPS offerings (the same way I would about spending $500 on a driver IMHO) just because they feel the golf market will bear it.

 

Not to mention many of these are closed systems (some even - SkyCaddie - with online storage of courses), so if the fledgling startup goes belly up (and many will as soon as the marketplace becomes more competitive) you will end up having to map your courses manually anyway, otherwise be stuck with a $300 paper weight. I would prefer to have one that does the best job of manually mapping at this point.

 

It is a shame that the first on their block has to put up with this kind of greed, but I suppose it is par for the course (c; I think I am gonna wait to see what shows up for the upcoming Xmas season.

[Gsco]

I have used the Skycaddie, iGolf and the Golflogix. I used the Skycaddie and Logix the same time the other day.

 

Both were pretty similar in accuracy, but after the 4th hole I was using the Logix for the rest of the round. There was nothing wrong with the Skycaddie, but I like to play at a swift pace and this unit was slowing me down. Press up, press down, press the green, and I felt the intelligreen feature was pretty much worthless. I'm just trying to hit it on the green .. how far is it? That's all I need and the Skycaddie will do that well, but I felt the Golflogix did it better.

 

The Golflogix was simple, fast and easy to read. It was much easier reading the yardages on the Logix than with the caddie. However, I don't feel some of the yardages were accurate and that's the downfall. You cannot correct anything and are stuck with satellite images for accuracy.

 

That's why I feel the iGolf is the better of the three. I don't own one but used it at a course that was mapped by its owner. It was great. I had up to 8 points plus 3 for the green and had the distance marker. It was the cheapest feeling of the three including software, but worked really well. I just don't have the patience to mark courses. If my friend had lived in my area I would have probably bought one and used his files.

 

I went to the Neiman Marcus site last week that was linked on the previous page and they had the Sonocaddie on sale for 182 bucks. I bought it. If I feel some yardages are off I can pretty much change them on the fly without marking the whole course. That's if I read the manual correctly. It was the last day of the sale so I jumped on it. It should be arriving Friday so I'll have to try to get a foursome with the other two and really put'em to a test.

[smsnead1]

Thanks for passing along that information Gsco. Much appreciated. Please let us know the results of your testing on Friday!

[bladehack]

That sale price of $182 at NeimanMarcus was geat. They are now listing it at $228 which is still much better than Best Buys price of $300.